The company is connecting techniques of the past with today’s technology.

“We want to take this really old tradition of hand sewn shoe making, crafting shoes by hand, and combine it with modern technology, e-commerce to reach a world-wide consumer," said Kyle Rancourt.

Rancourt’s shoes are shipped to dozens of countries around the world as well as all across the United States.

"The striking difference is the fact the Internet has opened our marketplace to the world," said Mike Rancourt.

Mike Rancourt has worked in the shoe trade in Lewiston since the 1960s, when his father opened a factory.

Today, Mike and his son Kyle run the business, founding Rancourt and Company in 2008.

They said they never considered opening anywhere but Lewiston.

“The biggest advantage we have making the shoes here in Lewiston is that there are still skilled craftspeople in the community that we can hire," said Kyle Rancourt.

"We need the skilled labor, and we need the workforce that understands our quality level," said Mike Rancourt.

It is a level of quality that allows Rancourt to sell shoes on the high-end, with prices ranging from $250 up to $500.

"It's a craft. It's not just a job. It's a craft. Their heart is in it. They really do want to make good shoes. It comes with an enormous amount of gratification," said pattern engineer Tina Charest.

Last month, Rancourt introduced a new method for customizing shoes.

Customers can go on the company’s website and can choose everything from laces to leather and design their own shoe.

“What's interesting in developing that business, we have more and more customers who want their own product, their own style, their own pair of shoes, and they want the details to be unique to them," said Mike Rancourt.

This year alone, Rancourt’s 62 employees will hand make 45,000 pairs of shoes

While a majority of Rancourt’s shoes are sold over the Internet, there are a handful of stores that sell them in Maine, including David Wood and Portland Dry Goods.